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I got my fitbit a week ago. I did some research about it before buying. In several studies the fitbit had an almost perfect score in calculating your steps. Best score for heartbeat accuracy. Best place to wear it is 1 to 2 fingers width ABOVE your WRIST bone. Not to tightly or will hinder accuracy. For me it took some getting use to wearing it higher up on my arm. I also have to check if the fitbit has slid down to my wrist and is loosely turning. I started wearing a bracelet under fitbit and am now comfortably wearing fitbit above wrist bone. Overall the Fitbit Charge 2 (which is the model I have) scored the highest out of all other wrist trackers. I wear a 7 1/4 bracelet. I was going to get the small band but got the large one because of placement above wrist. I got the plum color and love it. Goes with everything. The sales person at best buy suggested I try Amazon to buy additional bands. For a "fitbit" brand name costs around a $100 . (Fitbit hasn't come out with additional band colors for the charge 2 yet) On amazon you can by bands that will work with fitbit products. For charge 2 you can get 10 colors for 39.99 Merry Christmas to me. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-T337A using the BariatricPal App

Great posts Becky and Salsa -- you both have a lot of wisdom to share!!!! I'm glad to hear that I'm not the only one going through this warped sense of reality right now. I think you have definitely helped me to clarify this issue -- it is the sagging and bagging skin that this causing me to feel "not normal." Well, at least we don't have an overblown sense of ourselves, which I have also seen happen with women who lose a lot of weight. I much prefer humility over excessive ego -- don't you?

Hi Guys, I am going through something right now and I thought I would check in to see if anyone else is feeling the same way.......... I suddenly realized the other day that I'm simply not capable of judging how I look. I mean (even though I do still have another 24 pounds to lose), I guess I'm not fat anymore. I am a size ten now, which seems like a somewhat "normal" size, but when I look in the mirror I'm still seeing a very heavyset person. I definitely "feel" better, no aches and pains and I can feel that I'm carrying less weight, but to me, I still "look" pretty much like I always did. I don't know, it's just really weird. Maybe plastic surgery will take care of this problem as it is certainly possible that all of this sagging and bagging skin is altering my perception of myself -- or perhaps it will just take time for my brain to catch up with my body. I can't say that this is a self-esteem issue per se, I don't feel badly about myself, I just still "think" I'm fat........ Does this make sense? Is anyone else having this problem?

I am also in stall.i am 7 weeks op,I lost 15 lbs in first week after that5 lbs in 6 weeks,really worried,just waiting to loose more pounds,if any suggestion,please help... Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

The worst thing for me was the leak test the next morning (an AWFUL TASTE). I was a bit loopy for the first day, then I was walking around the ward floor 2-3 times a day - VERY SLOWLY. What to pack: 1- a Positive Attitude, 2- a loose fitting warmup suit for the trip home, 3- something to read and something to listen to, 4- COMFORTABLE SHOES. I made a travel bag of stuff that I never even opened - pack LIGHT and be EXCITED for the New Life you are about to enter into!

Has anyone tried body wraps after everything has healed? I've heard good and bad about them helping with sagging skin and whatnot. If you tried them please share what brand!

About 6 months post op I started loosing hair. I went to the dermatologist and he said it was from rapid weight loss. He said your body goes into a kind of shock. It stopped a couple months later. I didn't take any kind of supplement, and ate about 80 gms of protien a day. I was lucky to have started out with a pretty thick head of hair.

Hi everyone. This is my first message. Just a bit about myself - I am 52, menopausal and under active thyroid. I have been overweight and on diets my whole life. I have had some success. In 2012 I was at my heaviest (313lbs) and managed to lose about 44lbs. By 2015 I had regained 22lbs. I had two very special weddings occurring later in the year and that gave me the motivation to loose the weight again but it was soooo slow. I tried following the same Weight Watchers program which had previously been successful but I had little results. Then I went onto shakes again with little results. It got to the point that I was practically starving myself just to see the scales go down. Problem was, the moment I at a proper meal the weight would automatically go back up. I have always been a high achiever and I knew the need to get my weight Down for my future health. This caused me to hate myself so much because I could not understand why I could not control my weight. I was constantly telling myself and my doctor that I wasundereating but still not losing weight the negative self talk would say "you obviously aren't doing it right and need to try harder".in the end my doctor did some blood tests which showed that I have under active thyroid (Hashimotos disease).That was 11 months ago and my levels are still not stabilised. It was also at this time that I became menopausal which also impacted on my ability to lose weight.This is when I started researching WLS and in particular the sleeve. Initially, I was horrified to think about having so much of my stomach removed and the long term health effects but then I met a woman who had the sleeve done two years ago and like everyone on this forum said it was the best thing she has ever done. So, I made an appointment with a surgeon realising that I can never lose so much weight and keep it off without the sleeve tool.This woman was my age and the same weight. I understand that everybody is different but she said that she has lost97lbs just as her doctor had suggested. So I guess I was expecting a similar result based on her situation and everything I had read on this forum. However, when I spoke to the surgeon last night, he said that I should expect a 44 to 55lb loss due to my age, thyroid and menopause. When I told about my friends success, he said there is no way I would achieve those results. I guess now I am wondering if that loss is worth undergoing such major surgery and weather the experienced sleevers out there have experienced any problems with weight loss due menopause and thyroid disease and whether my disappointment at the surgeons weight loss is reasonable? Sorry this has become a long winded saga. Thanks for taking the time to read it. Ovaw8ovathinka Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

I'm looking forward to joining you on the loosing side too! I am 53, also have hypothyroidism/Hashimoto's and had a full hysterectomy in December of 2014. I'm revising from LapBand to VSG-just waiting on insurance approval/surgery date. I'm hoping that VSG will finally give me the opportunity to get to a healthy weight. I was down to 200 and stayed there for almost three years with the LapBand, but since I started experiencing swallowing issues, my weight has increased back to 235. I'm okay with losing slower, I just want to lose. I have an entire wardrobe of smaller sizes that I can't wear anymore and I really liked the way I felt and could move, etc. You know, they say 50 is the new 30:)

Apparently, Plixies have a much slower weight loss rate than those who have other types of wls. At least this is what I am reading. On top of that I happen to be a slow loser anwayway. It was my intention to loose 78lbs. So far, I have 48 lbs. So, Im sitting here wondering, will I really ever lose the last 30 lbs? I know that I will probably loose 20 more lbs, but I cant say with certainty that I will lose 30 lbs more. I say this because it has really been a struggle to do the 48lbs. THis surgery was nothing more than a tool. I still have to keep my eating habits at the fore front of my mind and really watch my food and Water intake. Im sure it will be like this for the rest of my life. Just the hand I was dealt. But in my heart, I really wonder sometimes if I will ever make my goal. I was expecting for this to take about 5 months and it looks like it will take about 8.5 months to reach goal. I know I chose the right surgery for me. Also, I realized that there has been little to no deprivation. I can still eat what I want, just not much of it AT ALL. How do you feel about your goal and has it changed since started to see results?

I went to my pre-op class yesterday and asked about the vitamin patches. The nutritionist said they are garbage, that there is no proof that our skin can absorb the vitamins. I just wanted you all to save your money

I am two weeks out tomorrow and so far no regrets whatsoever. I can't answer about bread and rice because I am still on liquids. I was able to sleep on my right side as soon as I got home; the left side took a few days. My first plop was three days after surgery. I was afraid to push so I just waited until I had to go enough that gravity could do its thing. I have only had a loose stool once. Hope this helps!

I am worried about not being able to firm up with exercise after I reach my goal. I have absolutely no desire to have "body contouring surgery.". I have spoke to many wls alums who say that the extra skin often can be as frustrating as being obese. My Dr. did say that with my age, health and the fact that I am at the lower BMI spectrum I should have good success through exercise. I would like to hear how other's have handled this. I am 48, 5'2" and 210 lbs. My surgery is scheduled for September 10th

This morning here in the UK there was a lady on TV raving about her Band there was also a consultant surgeon on there. This lady has done fantastically well lost over 10 stone with her band and has had a lot of reconstructive surgery to fix saggy skin problems in total its about £20.000:eek: I am not sure of the exchange rate but I think that’s about $40.000 a lot of money. The consultant is quoted to have said that the Band has no complications what so ever:mad: . I have some issues with this let me out line my issues. While I endorse a procedure that does work I feel that if doing non direct advertising on the TV the truth should be told. Here in the UK we have the NHS WLS is available on the NHS it can take a while to get the procedure but it is available. This surgeon was representing a Private hospital were the band cost £8000 this can buy you a very nice car brand new. If I was in a position to be able to self fund a surgery such as WLS I would be so angry if I paid my £8000 having been told I was 100% guaranteed I would lose weight and had a 100% guarantee there would be no complications. The band does have the highest failure rate with UK statistics being a 20% chance of failure. And a 1 in 5 chance of further surgery being needed due to slippage or erosion. So if I have re-mortgaged my home and gone into a fancy private clinic and paid this £8000 believing the consultant. Were do I stand if I get a port infection or my band slips. Who will pay for this to be fixed will I have to pay or will I receive treatment on the NHS? If I can’t pay and the NHS won’t pay were the hell do I stand we don’t have insurance over here like the USA what position am I left in because I made a decision on the basis of what I was told. And I am under the impression that ANY surgery carried out has a potential danger more so if you suffer obesity? There are so many other issues I have with this type of private surgery I like the facilities but when you pay so much money and put your hope and dreams into a cure I feel consultants have a obligation to tell the truth. If I went for IVF I would be told there is a failure rate my hope would not be raised while I know it’s a business I believe we should be told the truth and it is as simple as that. I had my band on the NHS I have had nothing but problems and I am lucky my PCT (health Authority) have agreed to fund any medical need I may have. But my sympathies go out to those who have self funded and there left in a state because they are experiencing problems they were not told about. On the flip side of the coin many people tend to go ahead with WLS believing it won’t happen to them like a smoker does every time they light up. But had they have been warned they would have been able to make an informed decisions. Does a consultant hold any responsibility or is it the patents responsibility to do the research?? Do you think I am nuts and on my high horse do you agree? Have you suffered complications due to the band according to the surgeon this morning there are no band complications can you prove him wrong if you had to. I think the band is a great tool for WLS some master it some don’t but it’s a complex argument I just feel information is key. any way sorry to have bored you all i will jump off my soap box :faint:

I keep waking up in the middle of the night with horrible thoughts about the band, I wake up suprised that I actually have it, even though I have had it for 4 months and I am loosing weight. I then lie awake thinking that I hope I have not caused harm to my body in the future, like what kind of affect will this decision cause me when I am forty, hopefully I will feel healthier then ever. I just had my second fill and now I am starting to get heart burn and acid reflux again. Which is the exact reason I was thrilled about getting the band because that all stopped after the surgery. I don't like regrets, I just wish I could stop waking up in the middle of the night about it, I'm kinda loosing sleep. Anybody else have that problem?

2 week surgiversary today and I lost 10lbs first week and for this last week I've been bouncing between 228.4-230.2. Today I was 229.2. I'm getting in all my water and some plus all my protein. Doctor said to experiment with foods and I have, no problems with anything! My caloric intake has not been more than 720, but mostly between 550-650. I've also gone back to the gym and have been walking 30 on the treadmill. Just so frustrated seems I'm working harder and loosing weight now that I was before surgery and now weight won't come off! Thanks for letting me vent :/

vitamins and other supplements - I get my vitamins at Walmart. Citrical chocolate chews and Centrum chewables early on, (now I just swallow pills) but get a "petite" variety when I can. Protein shakes - Syntrax Nectar Iced Lemon Tea, later, Quest bars and PowerCrunch bars. I lost my taste for milky, thick shakes for a while and preferred a water mix product. Skin products for sagging - I try to remember to moisturize with a product containing cocoa butter daily. Not sure if it's helping but it smells nice! Exercise IS helping some especially around my arms and legs. Hair products for hair loss - Been taking a biotin supplement since 3 months pre-op. Never really saw much hair loss and my nails are in GREAT shape!

HI there...I'm 10 months post-op... Vitamins and other supplements Bariatric Advantage chewables (don't give up after the first few tries - you get used to the taste), essential fatty acids, Vitamin D Protein shakes unjury vanilla and chocolate Splendor (try sugar free Torani syrups to mix in - they have tons of different flavors) Skin products for sagging Nivea Skin Firming Body Lotion (honestly, I don't know if it helped, but it made me feel like I was doing something productive and my skin is much softer) hair products for hair loss Biotin and Folic Acid (approved by doc), Nioxin shampoo & conditioner, Toppik (to cover the hair loss - works just like their on-line videos) My doc says there's nothing you can do to stop the loss, but you can help it come back.

OH great. I was just banded Dec 31st and will be 60 this year and want to loose 100 lbs or more if possible. I hope you get some answers from your blog. It will be interesting. Judy

I just went to the doctor and asked him this question...And he said sleeve patients loose about 77% of there excess weight..were full gastral bypass patients loose approx 80% of there original excess weight..I've never had the band so I'm not sure of there outcomes...My question is what stops us from loosing 100% of our excess weight? My eye is on the prize ! No one is telling me that I can't loose 100 %..

I've discovered since having my lap band surgery on Sept. 19th that a whole new world is really out there waiting for me...and I am quite excited by this! In 7 weeks and 5 days I have learned so much more about myself than I ever would have thought possible. First and foremost....I can eat to live and not live to eat anymore. This is a big one....as a constant food grazer for the past 30 or so years...who knew you could really just eat to nourish your body and mind and move on with your day....with your life. My band and I are forging a whole new relationship together and we are getting along fabulously....I'm learning to stop at satisfied, chew, chew, chew, and to eat slowly. When I do this I don't feel that pressure in my chest I experienced a few times when first back on solids. I eat when I'm hungry...this is a new one for me. I actually wait when my stomach begins to growl and really get rowdy. Why one might ask. Because I havent felt TRUE hunger in so many years its actually a nice feeling. It reminds me that this is the signal that tells me....Yup....time to put some nourishment in me....and that's it! Food is not all consuming to me anymore. I dont have any cravings. I dont know if its the band or the plication but I am loving it! I realized a week ago that I can eat something like a fun-size bag of peanut M+M's and the food demon of my past will not be unleashed. I thought for sure once I had that taste of chocolate...the taste of salty and sweet...the taste of goodness and comfort and joy that those M+M's used to elicit would cause me to slip back into old eating habits and patterns. You know what....IT DIDNT. Mind you, panic over this little "snack" did cause fear in my heart and soul as I ran around the house for the rest of the night telling my hubby that I surely released "the demon". Well, guess what?...the next day was like any other banded day for me. Eating breakfast, lunch, my little snack to get me to dinner and then to my last meal of the day- dinner. Now when I see that bowl of leftover Halloween candy, I glance at it and say ....aaahhh...and walk away and onto the next thing I was going to do. Moments like that I now say WOW to. At work, no one (well actually only one person---the wonderful school nurse who helped me when I fell outside of work right before my lap band surgery and i basically broke down because of the stress of everything---knows). One girl has said I've lost weight.....many others comment on how great my hair looks and they all love the shirts I'm wearing. I find it funny....not sure if they dont know what to say or this is how they are noticing it. I've always been a loose fitting shirt girl, always trying to cover up all my baggage and now my clothes are beginning to hang even more. I know I've got to get new stuff but the thought of not hiding stuff is all new to me. I will come around...for I must...but this part is the hard part right now. I feel good...I feel light....I feel faster...I feel more energetic. I love that my wedding/engagement ring are constantly twisting on my finger. I love that my watch needs a link taken out. I love that I can eat at home or go out to eat with my family and I CAN eat. Whatever I want....sometimes better choices than others but I can always eat everything. I DO NOT feel deprived of anything. I don't miss the constant grazing, the donuts by the dozen, the pints of Ben & Jerry's, the 2 or 3 helpings at dinner. I DO LOVE that my hubby is able to reach around me better when he gives me a hug....I can keep up with my kids better....i feel better about myself....i am happier than i've been in some time.....I'm healthier.....i've lost 46 pounds and this is just the beginning. I look out my window and see that whole new world that being thinner offers and at times it is scary and seems so unknown but I wont know how truly great it all is unless I continue to travel down that road and reach that weight loss goal that has eluded me for sooooo many, many years. So, watch out....'cause here I come!

<TABLE id=HB_Mail_Container height="100%" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0 UNSELECTABLE="on"><TBODY><TR height="100%" width="100%" UNSELECTABLE="on"><TD id=HB_Focus_Element vAlign=top width="100%" background="" height=250 UNSELECTABLE="off">My chiropractor said he was going to write mine up as a medical necessity because I am sway-back from all the extra weight and skin pulling on the front. Same idea as a breast reduction: it's effecting my spine, results in rashes, etc. You will have to see how much skin you have...and then petition your insurance. Good luck.</TD></TR><TR UNSELECTABLE="on" hb_tag="1"><TD style="FONT-SIZE: 1pt" height=1 UNSELECTABLE="on"> </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

I'm having a hard time too :/ i feel like i have to loose at least 20 more lbs but everybody tells me i'll disapear =/

It's not a gaurentee you will get a fill. MY Dr. weighs me in, checks the difference from last visit, divides by # weeks to determine how much I have lost per week.....if it is good, then NO FILL. It's all about loosing weight !! Although he can also be concerned about hunger cravings too. My laqst fill was last May. Have had acceptable weight loss every month since then, up untill last month. Then he gave me a very little fill as maintence. Next time I see him, in April, I may ask to have that taken back out.

okay...so Im flying to MX on Friday to be banded by Dr. Sanchez.........and Im so worried. I know that Im doing the right thing!! I also know that life changes are coming....and Im excited..scared..and a whole lot of other things I cant explain. Im also going this alone...Im worried about silly things like...loosing my glasses between pre-op and recovery...Im worried about loosing my passport and getting stuck in MX with no way home....My head is full of so much stuff!!!!!!!!!!! I need a little clarity a little .....bright light of hope...lol.